He felt that his whole life was some kind of dream and he sometimes wondered whose it was and whether they were enjoying it.
Douglas Adams, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"
There is no folly of the beasts of the earth which is not infinitely outdone by the madness of men.
Herman Melville, "Moby Dick"

Saturday, March 04, 2006

Funny Yet Depressing

Usually, I don't eavesdrop, but when you are constantly surrounded by a language you don't completely understand sometimes it is hard not to pay attention to people speaking your native language. Today was one of those days. I was in the computer lab, working on lesson, when another teacher from the American Northeast came in with two students. They were interviewing the teacher and wanted a quiet place to record the conversation. The interview was in English and as we were the only people in the lab I couldn't help but overhear. I think I remember this correctly, but let me just enter this disclaimer: An almost verbatim converation.

Interviewer: Does your family visit you often?Teacher: No, not really. I go home for about 5 weeks every summer, but my family doesn't visit me here.Interviewer: Do you have any family here? Did any of your family move to France with you?Teacher: Well, my girlfriend of five years moved here with me, but she is not my family, just my girlfriend. No, I have no family here. I am just here by myself.WHAT? Excuse me; your girlfriend moved from her home to another country, half way around the world, and she is not your family? You have been together for 5 years and she is not your family? WHAT? I wonder if this lady knows how lucky she is to have such a considerate partner? Ahhh, if only all women were so fortunate.

FYI, the pictures are from a real, open air French market. These markets are great, a little smelly, but great. You can find everything there. The people who work the market travel around from town to town and usually visit each town at least twice a week.